The Portuguese Design Center (PDC) distinguished ALERT Life Sciences Computing S.A. with the Sena da Silva Award, in a ceremony that took place on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at Culturgest auditorium, in Porto, Portugal.

The National Design Award is a PDC´s biennial event presided by the designer Henrique Cayette. This award has the high sponsorship of His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic, Professor Aníbal Cavaco Silva.

This award aims at distinguishing and promoting the best designs, according to their impact in society and contribution towards innovation, competitiveness and economic development. Besides that, these awards have the purpose of stimulating critical reflection regarding current practices in product development or services, and to encourage companies to adopt strategies, quality and innovation procedures through design. The purpose of this award is to also draw public attention towards recognition of the value of Portuguese products and services. Finally, this award aims at motivating the media to debate the role of design in the improvement of life quality and its uncontested role in contemporary politics and strategies.

Presided by Henrique Cayette, the jury included Beatriz Vidal, designer and vice-president of PDC, Suzana Ferreira, representing Caixa Geral de Depósitos (the entity sponsoring the awards), Pedro Matias, vice-president of the Support Institute to Small and Medium Enterprises, Bárbara Coutinho, director of the Design and Fashion Museum, and Nuno Sá Leal (designer) from the Portuguese Designer Association. The jury also integrated designers from different areas, such as Eduardo Afonso Dias, Francisco Providência, Filipe Alarcão, Eduarda Abbondanza and Ana Campos.

Jorge Guimarães, ALERT's CEO, and Miguel Palmeiro, Director of the Communication Design Department, attended the ceremony to receive this award. Also present were several members of the team that everyday conceives and consubstantiates the winning brand's image.

Web and cloud enabled, adopted in 14 countries and deployed in nationwide, statewide and enterprise-wide projects, in both public and private settings, ALERT® software complies with local and international product certifications and requirements.

ALERT® solutions are locally configured in each market, and their commercialization and implementation is performed by ALERT or local partners.